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CAT Tracks for June 2 , 2006
IL LAWMAKERS QUESTION GOVERNOR'S EDUCATION PLAN |
From the Associated Press...
Lawmakers raise number of questions about Blagojevich's education plan
By RYAN KEITH
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - State lawmakers, led by a top legislative leader, are raising significant questions about Gov. Rod Blagojevich's new education plan that could mean trouble for a keystone of the governor's re-election bid.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, sent a letter to fellow legislators and the governor earlier this week with a dozen questions he has about Blagojevich's proposal to privatize the state lottery and pump $10 billion into education funding.
Blagojevich officials say the questions are just part of the legislative process.
Madigan wrote that the governor's proposal "deserves serious consideration" because it would have "profound long-term consequences for state finances and schools."
"We must consider our obligations not only to those who need help today, but also that we keep the state on a sound financial footing so that we can meet our responsibility to those who will need help tomorrow," Madigan wrote.
Blagojevich announced the proposal last week, promising to pump $4 billion into schools over the next four years and investing the remaining $6 billion for long-term needs.
But the administration has said many of the program's details will be disclosed in the months leading into the fall veto session, when Blagojevich wants to push for its passage.
Other legislators agreed Thursday that Madigan raised important questions and said they can't support the plan until they have answers.
"We're not necessarily opposed to a plan that is out there, we just want to know more about it," said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie.
Madigan questioned how the administration determined it could receive $10 billion from privatization and whether a new operator would be able to bring in new games such as keno. He also questioned what schools would do once the infusion of lottery money ended in future years and how the proposal would benefit school districts statewide.
Blagojevich budget spokeswoman Becky Carroll called Madigan's questions a "normal part of the process" and reiterated the governor isn't interested in any general tax increases.
"We're happy to meet with or brief legislators who want it," Carroll said. "It's an ongoing process, so we not only want to share our ideas with them but hear their ideas as well."
Republicans have echoed Madigan's calls for more detail about the $10 billion estimate, fearing schools could be shortchanged if it's not worth that much.
The administration has argued turning over those numbers would be akin to a sports coach handing the playbook over to the opponent and could prompt potential operators to submit low bids.
Many lawmakers say they want to know how their school districts will fare under the proposal. Some downstate Democrats worry it will favor Chicago schools, leaving their districts in need of long overdue improvements.
"A student is a student, no matter where they're at," said Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Norris City. "That person should be treated the same."
Other lawmakers say instead of selling an important state asset and throwing piles of money into the system, officials should resolve long-standing funding inequities through reducing the reliance on local property taxes, and increasing income taxes, to fund schools.
"I think this is a weak idea," said Rep. Willie Delgado, D-Chicago. "We want to see a comprehensive plan and this isn't it ... This is too short-term and it's too much of a quick fix."